TY - JOUR
T1 - Single-shot fast spin-echo MR imaging of the fetus
T2 - A pictorial essay
AU - Huppert, Bonnie J.
AU - Brandt, Kathy R.
AU - Ramin, Kirk D.
AU - King, Bernard F.
PY - 1999/10
Y1 - 1999/10
N2 - Ultrasonography (US) is the modality of choice for prenatal screening, but occasionally additional imaging information is needed. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an attractive alternative but until recently has been limited by motion artifact. Single-shot fast spin-echo MR imaging was used to depict normal and abnormal anatomy in 26 fetuses. Thirteen studies were performed for maternal indications and 13 were performed to evaluate fetal abnormalities identified or suspected at US. Three of the fetal abnormalities involved the central nervous system (CNS) and 10 involved other anatomic sites. Results were correlated with findings at postnatal clinical examination, imaging, and pathologic analysis. MR imaging demonstrated normal fetal anatomy without substantial motion artifact. CNS structures were well visualized as early as 18-20 weeks gestation, as were most other normal anatomic structures except the heart. MR imaging also allowed characterization of a variety of abnormalities of the CNS (Arnold-Chiari malformation, Walker-Warburg syndrome, amniotic band syndrome) as well as of other structures (renal agenesis, multicystic dysplastic kidney, abdominal masses, severe limb-body wall defect, clubfoot with arthrogryposis, diaphragmatic hernia). US findings were confirmed in most cases, and additional information about the precise diagnosis or the severity or location of the anomaly often helped guide clinical management. Single-shot fast spin-echo MR imaging of the fetus is a useful adjunct to US in difficult diagnostic situations.
AB - Ultrasonography (US) is the modality of choice for prenatal screening, but occasionally additional imaging information is needed. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an attractive alternative but until recently has been limited by motion artifact. Single-shot fast spin-echo MR imaging was used to depict normal and abnormal anatomy in 26 fetuses. Thirteen studies were performed for maternal indications and 13 were performed to evaluate fetal abnormalities identified or suspected at US. Three of the fetal abnormalities involved the central nervous system (CNS) and 10 involved other anatomic sites. Results were correlated with findings at postnatal clinical examination, imaging, and pathologic analysis. MR imaging demonstrated normal fetal anatomy without substantial motion artifact. CNS structures were well visualized as early as 18-20 weeks gestation, as were most other normal anatomic structures except the heart. MR imaging also allowed characterization of a variety of abnormalities of the CNS (Arnold-Chiari malformation, Walker-Warburg syndrome, amniotic band syndrome) as well as of other structures (renal agenesis, multicystic dysplastic kidney, abdominal masses, severe limb-body wall defect, clubfoot with arthrogryposis, diaphragmatic hernia). US findings were confirmed in most cases, and additional information about the precise diagnosis or the severity or location of the anomaly often helped guide clinical management. Single-shot fast spin-echo MR imaging of the fetus is a useful adjunct to US in difficult diagnostic situations.
KW - Fetus, MR, 85.121416
KW - Fetus, abnormalities, 85.1893, 85.874, 85.8754, 85.8775, 85.8779
KW - Fetus, central nervous system, 85.874
KW - Magnetic resonance (MR), rapid imaging, 85.121416
KW - Pregnancy, MR, 85.121416
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0033210859&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0033210859&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1148/radiographics.19.suppl_1.g99oc09s215
DO - 10.1148/radiographics.19.suppl_1.g99oc09s215
M3 - Review article
C2 - 10517456
AN - SCOPUS:0033210859
SN - 0271-5333
VL - 19
SP - S215-S227
JO - Radiographics
JF - Radiographics
IS - SPEC.ISS.
ER -